150 CC comparison. Review on Honda Unicorn 150 cc

I have already written couples of reviews on bikes, so this time I thought why not go for a 150cc bike comparison. The participants are Bajaj pulsar, TVS apache and Honda unicorn. Comparison is based on different phases like looks, efficiency etc.

1) Looks: I don’t think that the readers will be having much difficultly on choosing the best looking bike from the above three. Yes folks, it’s the bajaj pulsar that scores first in terms of great looks. Even though hero Honda started the era of 150cc by launching their bike CBZ six years ago, but it was not too long that pulsar was launched by bajaj motors giving it the tag of “definitely male among the other bikes”. This muscular macho created a huge revolution among the youths (I’m too one of them). And after 2 years of it’s launch, the second variant of pulsar was launched with DTSI engine. Today’s pulsar boosts of having digital Speedo, alloy wheels and LED tail lamps.

TVS apache scores second in terms of looks. Styling is something TVS hasn’t been able to get their heads around to, which has been the root cause of the lukewarm market response. Now, finally TVS has turned a new leaf in the form of apache, which looks absolutely stunning. Well, the only part I find fault with apache is its rear, which doesn’t go with the muscular image.

Honda unicorn looks like a bike for a mature Indian. This bike lacks that muscular touch unlike pulsar and apache.

2) Performance: There wouldn’t have been karizmas and pulsars on road if it weren’t for performance. This is the aspect where I found very difficult to rate the three. For me, the fastest among the three in terms on pickup (0-60kmph) is Honda unicorn. Unicorn does 0-60 kmph in around 5.5 secs. Second place is shared between apache and pulsar. Both do 0 to 60 in around 6 secs. Top speed is almost the same for the three, Pulsar top speed’s with 115 kmph on Speedo while the unicorn does 118 and apache around 115 kmph. Unicorn is a silent killer, uni is extremely smooth and it lacks the exhaust roar unlike pulsar. But still it is the best among the three in terms of performance.

3) Ride and handling: Again, Unicorn leads in this department too. It’s a delight to ride unicorn. The suspension is one of the best. Unicorn boosts of having the mono shock suspensions, which is first to be seen on any Indian bike. And she is too good when it comes to handling due to its longer wheelbase and wonderful chase.

Second place goes to bajaj pulsar. Ride and handling is good thanks to the gas shocks and longer wheelbase.

Apache only misses by a small margin to pulsar. The ride is ok but vibrations are experienced when one goes beyond the speed of 80kmph, which according to me is a matter that needs to be looked at since a 150cc machine should be stable at high speeds.

4) Fuel efficiency: Here’s the segment that decides the fate of bikes in India. This is why the karizmas and p180’s are not sold in huge numbers in India. Apache is the most fuel efficient of the three with figures of 56kmpl. Pulsar delivers 54kmpl while unicorn gives 53kmpl.

I thought of writing this review in detail but the word’s limit doesn’t allow me to do it. Summing it up, If u r someone who looks for extremely good ride and handling but can compromise on looks then unicorn is the right choice. Pulsar and apache are almost same in every aspect.

Thanks for reading my review. Which is the one u feel is the best among the three??? Feel free to express it in the comment section.

John